Fig tree roots????

[flowersfriend]

I planted a fig tree in our garden two years ago... It is in a fairly protected area, and has had quite a few figs on it every year . (they never ripen as it gets too cold in winter) Anyway I'm worried now, I knew figs grew into a a big trees. I thought we could keep top growth under control. BUT I can't find any information about the root growth. I've put it near two walls for protection, not thinking about it undermining the walls. We have a sloping garden and the walls are holding our garden path up!!!! I don't want anything to happen to them. Question is do I dig up the fig as it may damage the walls. It would be sad as I like it and it seems to be doing well where it is. I can't find out how risky it is, if I leave it??? Can anyone help???

[Chuckles]

Ooooh Figs I luv um, eating them that is ;D

I'm afraid I know nothing about growing Fig Trees though FF but, as I understand it planting something in a confined space restricts root growth and obviously in turn plant growth. Maybe planting it in a large contained area might help

[4pygmies]

I would dig it up and put it in a big pot while it's still small. They are quite big trees actually but I don't now what size they would reach naturally in this country in the ground. I have had a little one in a big clay pot for several years which bears figs most years but it hasn't really put on a lot of growth over the last 5 years. I top dress it every Spring but apart from that it's left to its own devices.

[flowersfriend]

.Many Thanks Chuckles and 4pygmies.

I had better get digging before it gets too big for a pot..... and

I have just realised, Ill have a nice space to put somthing else

in..... hummmmmm ,it needs to grow quite tall and not undermine

walls, it would be nice if it was sculptural in the winter...... it will

take some thinking about.

[oldmoleskins]

I s'pose it's too late now for you, Flowersfriend, but I just came across a 'fig method' I think I'll be trying - in an early fifties book on fruit growing (isn't it astonishing how 'early fifties' is now fifty years old....)
Anyhew, what they suggest is to dig out a shallow pit, say six inches deep and 3 foot square, fill the pit with brick rubble back up to ground level, then form a raised bed 3 feet square and about 9inches deep, and plant in that.

When i get round to it, I'll post a pic.

OM.

[Deleted]

are very very deep rooted,i planted mine in the inside of a washing machine drum and trimmed the branches, produced a
squat bush that spat out figs with out fail, loves sth facing, we get to minus 5 here, loves pooh. ;D
restricted growth encourages fruit, loves a hard time.

[snowowl]

I bought one last year and planted in a large pot.It had quite a few figs on of variouse size.
I put the pot in my greenhouse in the winter and all the leaves fell of and a few figs but it still as some on.
I will bring it back outside in spring and put the pot on a south facing aspect.I am hopping to get some ripe fruit of it this year.
SS should i be putting some manure round the plant then even though its in a pot or is there something else i should be feeding it?
Any help gratefully recieved. ;D

[Amo]

We have two. I had a couple of those large tree pots, about 20 inches across and I've cut the bottom off of them and planted the figs into them. I know they like it rough.

My last house had one against the wall and the mortgage company insurers insited it came down, it was about 20 feet. When we dug it out it had been planted in a slab lined hole anyway. Waste of a tree if you ask me

[Deleted]

being in a pot, perhaps vigorous pooh might not be the best option, something more subtle, seaweed & algae for eg, or light nitrogen
based fertilizer, a bit of pooh every 2nd year, feed in the early spring, need a fair amount of water~through out the summer (1-1half inches of water)
a week, mulch in october. a week, mulch in october.hope that helps
love blackfigs, good for the soul....... ;D

[Deleted]

Mahabodhitree
one of the oldest ?

[Chuckles]

Mmmm sounds like Figs in a large tub are possible then with some care Have now added one to my Want List ;D